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Brett Ferino · 03-13-2003, 01:05 PM

'Sopranos' Future Hinges on Tony's Take

2003-03-13 08:14:13 GMT (Reuters)
By Melissa Grego

HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - In true "Sopranos" style, the brouhaha over the fifth season of the hit HBO mob drama has turned into a bare-knuckled brawl -- and could even kill the show.

Production on season five, scheduled to get under way March 24, remained in peril Wednesday, as HBO executives said negotiations with the series star, James Gandolfini, are dead.

The last offer from HBO to Gandolfini on the table for the 13-episode fifth season was for $11 million, part of which was to be paid in profit participation.

But HBO insiders insist Gandolfini's camp was asking for much more than had been reported: $27 million for season five, and $16.7 million for a sixth season should that get ordered, for an average of $21 million per season for a fifth and sixth batch.

HBO executives said they were backed into a corner by the lawsuit Gandolfini filed in a California court last week, claiming his contract for the fifth season of "The Sopranos" is invalid.

The move by Gandolfini's camp, an apparent attempt to further salary negotiations, actually stopped the talks in their tracks, according to HBO execs.

The network said it won't make another offer until or unless Gandolfini withdraws his suit. HBO meanwhile filed a countersuit on Tuesday.

HBO's lawyer, Bert Fields, told Daily Variety Wednesday that the two sides have not been in talks since the actor filed suit late last week.

"Gandolfini's agents believe they're holding a gun to HBO's head to get them to pay this massive salary increase, but it's really a water pistol -- and doesn't even have any water in it."

Were the cable network to be forced to cancel "The Sopranos," it would be forfeiting its highest-rated flagship show a year early and losing millions of viewers who subscribe only to watch the mob series.

The show has already garnered lucrative returns on video and DVD sales as well as foreign TV license fees.

HBO said it has bent over backward to accommodate Gandolfini's schedule when he wanted to do movies, and that it was tolerant of personal problems Gandolfini experienced while starring on the hit show.

Gandolfini's spokesman, Dan Klores, responded Wednesday to HBO's claims, saying: "Let HBO say whatever they want to say. It should be beneath them to treat one of their biggest stars, moneymakers and friends like this."

The actor's lawyer, Marty Singer was traveling and unavailable for comment.

In related news, Singer asked for a new judge to hear both cases, claiming that Los Angeles Superior Court Judge John Segal is prejudiced against Singer's firm. Such requests are routinely granted.

03-13-2003, 01:05 PM	#1
Brett Ferino Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 18, 2000 Location: PA Posts: 3,782	'Sopranos' Future Hinges on Tony's Take 'Sopranos' Future Hinges on Tony's Take 2003-03-13 08:14:13 GMT (Reuters) By Melissa Grego HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - In true "Sopranos" style, the brouhaha over the fifth season of the hit HBO mob drama has turned into a bare-knuckled brawl -- and could even kill the show. Production on season five, scheduled to get under way March 24, remained in peril Wednesday, as HBO executives said negotiations with the series star, James Gandolfini, are dead. The last offer from HBO to Gandolfini on the table for the 13-episode fifth season was for $11 million, part of which was to be paid in profit participation. But HBO insiders insist Gandolfini's camp was asking for much more than had been reported: $27 million for season five, and $16.7 million for a sixth season should that get ordered, for an average of $21 million per season for a fifth and sixth batch. HBO executives said they were backed into a corner by the lawsuit Gandolfini filed in a California court last week, claiming his contract for the fifth season of "The Sopranos" is invalid. The move by Gandolfini's camp, an apparent attempt to further salary negotiations, actually stopped the talks in their tracks, according to HBO execs. The network said it won't make another offer until or unless Gandolfini withdraws his suit. HBO meanwhile filed a countersuit on Tuesday. HBO's lawyer, Bert Fields, told Daily Variety Wednesday that the two sides have not been in talks since the actor filed suit late last week. "Gandolfini's agents believe they're holding a gun to HBO's head to get them to pay this massive salary increase, but it's really a water pistol -- and doesn't even have any water in it." Were the cable network to be forced to cancel "The Sopranos," it would be forfeiting its highest-rated flagship show a year early and losing millions of viewers who subscribe only to watch the mob series. The show has already garnered lucrative returns on video and DVD sales as well as foreign TV license fees. HBO said it has bent over backward to accommodate Gandolfini's schedule when he wanted to do movies, and that it was tolerant of personal problems Gandolfini experienced while starring on the hit show. Gandolfini's spokesman, Dan Klores, responded Wednesday to HBO's claims, saying: "Let HBO say whatever they want to say. It should be beneath them to treat one of their biggest stars, moneymakers and friends like this." The actor's lawyer, Marty Singer was traveling and unavailable for comment. In related news, Singer asked for a new judge to hear both cases, claiming that Los Angeles Superior Court Judge John Segal is prejudiced against Singer's firm. Such requests are routinely granted.